Cat Nutrition: Expired Cat Food

QUESTION

Is it ok to give kittens moist cat food that says best sell by 3 months ago?


ANSWER

While it is true many products that are sold commercially are actually fine well beyond their expiration date, I never assume that is the case.

You can try to get in touch with the manufacturer and ask how long beyond the expiration date their product is good. They, of course, are not going to want to tell you and may not be allowed to tell you.

Without knowing for sure, I would not feed it to my cats. I know it may be financially difficult to just throw out what looks like good food, but it's just not worth the risk.

Thank you for writing.
Dr. Neely